Swinging reversible car-steps.



F. .l. VEIOX.

SWINGING REVERSIBLE CAR STEPS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV- 5. I914.

Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

F. J. VEIOX. SWINGING REVERSIBLE CAR STEPS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 5. 1914.

Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

Q/Vitweooe/A IOLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH :0.. WASHINGTON, D. u

cairn TAES PATENT orrio.

FRANK J'. VEIOX, OF WARNER, SOUTH DAKOTA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JOHN A. STELLNER, OF MANSFIELD, SOUTH DAKOTA.

SWINGING REVERSIBLE CAR-STEPS.

Application filed November 5, 1914.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK J. Vnrox, a citizen of the United States, residing at WVai-ner, in the county of Brown and State of South Dakota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Swinging Reversible Car-Steps; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates I to improved car steps that can be swung under the coach when not in use and a portion of the structure used as a closure for the opening occupied by the steps when in use.

My object is to supply a set of steps that may be made to extend nearer to the ground avoiding the usual long space between the lower step and the ground, and will obviate the use of the stepping boxnow so generally in use.

Another object of my invention is to fill the space in the car platform usually occupied by the steps, with a closure that serves as a floor to that part of the platform, making a uniform surface therefor throughout the full dimensions of the said platform.

A still further object is to supply a set of steps that will be safe and yet easy to remove from the place where it is used, to prevent persons from entering or leaving the car except at the will of the persons in charge of the car, and as easily returned to its place for use when desired.

In the drawings herewith, which are made a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a set of my car steps swung back under the car and the space in the platform filled, Fig. 2 is a plan view of the crank shaft and lever, Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View of a set of my car steps in position for use, Fig. A is a plan view of the front hangers, and Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the steps in place and the sill of the platform.

In the more detailed description of my invention l is the side piece placed at the ends of the steps, 2 is the tread and 3 is the riser.

4 is a depending projection attached to. the side pieces 1 and 5 is a substantially constructed back connecting the two side pieces 1 of a set of steps and also the depending projections 4. A set of steps is constructed in the usual manner of car steps with the Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug.1i0, 1915,

Serial No. 870,369.

depending projection 41 and the back 5 added. It is then swung in position for use by means of the front hanger 6 and the crank shaft 7 One of the front hangers 6 is pivotally secured to the end car-sill 8 by the bolt 9 at one end of said hanger, the other end being pivotally secured to the side piece 1, below and adjacent the second tread near the center of said tread, by means of the bolt 10 and the flanged washer 11. The heads of the bolts 9 and 10 are countersunk in the hanger bar flush with the surface thereof. The second front hanger is secured in a similar manner and in a relative position on the opposite side of the set of steps and to the sill 8 of the platform.

The crank shaft 7 comprises twobearing ends 12 and 13, depending portions 14 bent at right angles to the bearing portions 12 and 13, said depending portions being of equal length, and a connecting portion 15 extending at right angles to the depending portions and connecting the ends thereof. The connecting portion is of the exact length of the treads 2 plus the thickness of the two sides 1. The said connecting portion 15 is rotatably mounted in the depending portion 1 adjacent the back 5 below the top tread a distance equaling approximately one-half the width of a riser. The bearing end 12 is rotatably mounted in the sill 8 of the platform, and the bearing 13 is rotatably mounted in the end car sill 8. A short projection 16 extends inwardly from the angle formed by the bearing 13 and the depending member 14, parallel with the connecting portion 15. A lever 11 is fixedly connected by any preferred means to the projecting portion 16. Attached to the said lever is a latch mechanism 18 which engages in the notches 19 of the segment 20.

My steps are hung to the car by means of the front hangers 6, one of said hangers being attached to one side of the steps and the end car sill 8 and the other hanger being attached to the opposite side of the steps and the platform sill 8", and the crank shaft 7 which extends from the bearing connection with the end car sill 8 down to and through the depending pieces 1 on each side of the steps, then up to the bearing connection with the platform sill 8. When the steps are in position for use the lever 17 is attached to the crank shaft so as to position it to engage the notches 19 of the segment 20, which are on the part of the segment toward the side of the car 21.

When it is desired to shift the steps the lever is brought into position to engage the notches of the segment which are on the part toward the door of the car 22. This causes the rear portion of the steps to be elevated and moved forward until the back 5 assumes a horizontal position in line with the floor of the platform and forms a closure for the space occupied by the steps and becomes a part of the floor of the platform, and the steps are by the same movement of the lever simultaneously swung backwardly under the car where they hang without being in danger of striking obstructions along the side of the track.

The platform and vestibule of the car is absolutely inaccessible from the outside and passengers are prevented from leaving the car until the steps are placed in position.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as novel and wish to secure by Letters-Patent, is

1. In combination with the frame of a car and the platform thereof, of a set of car steps having a depending back portion; front hangers connecting said steps pivotally to said car frame; a crank shaft rotatably mounted in said steps and said car frame; a lever fixedly attached to said crank shaft; whereby said set of steps may be moved from operative to inoperative position and said back moved into position to form a closure for the opening normally occupied by said set of steps, and means to hold said lever locked in position to hold said steps in eitheroperative or inoperative position.

2. The combination with a frame of a car and the platform thereof, of a set of car steps having depending side portions and a depending back portion, hangers pivotally attached at one end to parts of said frame, and at the opposite ends to the side members of the steps, a crank shaft pivotally mounted through the depending side portions below the tread of the steps, means to pivotally secure the crank shaft to the car frame, a lever fixedly secured to the crank shaft and extending through said platform, a segmental rack adjacent said lever, a latch carried by the lever and cooperating with said rack to retain said steps in operative or inoperative position, said steps being so arranged and mounted on the frame that said depending back portion will be brought into alinement with the platform and form a continuation thereof when the step is swung to its inoperative position.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK J. VEIOX.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM RICHERT, R. M. SoLLnRG.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

